This thread crochet mandala is the next of the beautiful, inspiring, special contributions coming in to the #MandalasForMarinke remembrance project. Reminder: I’m updating all of the original 2015 posts, one at a time. Then I am republishing them in the order of original posting. Follow along to revisit this project, which raises awareness about depression and crafting to heal.
Beautiful Thread Crochet Mandala
This is a gorgeous thread crochet mandala made using the standard 12 round crochet pattern by Wink.
I was instantly drawn to the beauty of this small piece when I opened the envelope that it arrived in and was surprised to learn that it comes from a beginner crocheter. The stitches are perfect and I love the combination of colors, where some rows are multicolored and others are solid colors.
It’s a terrific piece that inspired me to want to try making a thread crochet mandala myself.
About the Thread Crochet Mandala Maker
This terrific contribution comes from Carolina in Florida who shares with us:
“I was so moved by this memorial. I am a beginner to crochet. Social media and people like Marinke that shared part of her knowledge on the sites helped me to learn the craft. I started to crochet because I was very sad and could not find peace within. Prayer was impossible because I could not quiet my mind, but with crochet I have been able to find peace and to be able to relax.
Marinke’s mandalas are so joyful. They helped me pray in a different way. I wanted to participate tin the project to honor Marinke and also because I feel the same depression and how crochet changes that feeling into joy.
I am so sorry for this loss and hope hearing from all of will give you comfort and strength. Know that she helped me to get better.”
Words by Wink
Even in the darkness, Wink tried hard to celebrate the joy in the small things, like wearing flowers in her hair. On January 27, 2015, in a post titled Keeping it Simple, Wink shared photos of some lovely plant life and wrote:
“A lot of bad things have happened to me lately, which are making me appreciate the little things in life. When I feel down, I go outside and soak it all in, and it usually makes me feel better. I can truly enjoy looking through my lens and seeing frost on tiny parts of plants, flowers, and rocks. It helps me cope, and it helps me stay in control of my creativity, which is one of the first things that goes out the window when I feel down.”
About Depression
One purpose of this project is to raise awareness about depression so each post will end with some facts, thoughts or quotes about depression, suicide and/or mental health.
Today I wanted to share some shocking statistics about depression from a Huffington Post article by Lindsay Holmes titled 11 Statistics That Will Change The Way That You Think About Depression.
- Three hundred and fifty million people around the world experience some form of depression.
- 16 million U.S. adults had at least one major depressive episode in 2012. This means that nearly 7% of the adults in the United States that year experienced feelings of severe depression along with additional difficult symptoms.
- 50% of Americans do not seek help for a major depressive episode.
- Women are 70% more likely than men to experience depression.
Depression is affecting many, many people. It may be affecting you or someone you love, especially the women in your life. Many people do not seek help when they are experiencing depression. Without help, depression feels even more isolating and hard to overcome. Reach out if you are having symptoms of depression. Check in on others who you suspect feel depressed.
All contributions to Mandalas for Marinke help raise awareness about depression while honoring Wink’s work in the same way that Laura’s thread crochet mandala contribution has done today.
Featured Photo by Jonatán Becerra on Unsplash
Such lovely work from a beginner. Nice combination of colors.
I love the color combo too!
Kathryn, thank you for talking about Summer Seasonal Depression. I think you finally
put a name to what I experience in extremely hot, humid weather. I’m just miserable
in body, mind and spirit during these weather patterns. It’s often hard for people who
are NOT bothered to understand how difficult it is to function.
Yes, it’s so hard to understand when you are not specifically impacted by it yourself. Really glad that this helped you identify what might be happening for you. Take good care of yourself and be gentle and kind with your needs during that hot weather. <3
Thank you for your info. I also have seasonal depression. Hot & humid weather is the worse. I cry for no reason at all during this time. Being a senior citizen & widow with no job makes it even worse. Have made several of Wink’s mandalas this year & was so saddened by the news of her passing. I think (no I KNOW) that crocheting has helped me quite a bit. Have crocheted for years but finding the mandala patterns has given me some peace. I made Wink’s standard mandala & put it in a embroidery hoop. It hangs on my bedroom wall.
I’m so sorry to hear that you struggle with seasonal depression. It sounds like an awful time of year. <3
Thank you! First I have heard of SSD – please keep this info on depression coming. You are blog is a great inspiration and resource to those experiencing depression or knowing how tholepin other who do.
Glad I’m able to provide some info that people aren’t already aware of. HUGS.
we retired 5,000 miles from my family and in the last 21/2 months they told my mom she had a problrm with her intersrines sp? and had 2-3 days to live she is touch and still here and 91 years old then a couple weeks my only sister got sick it was a beain tumor she passed away in 9 days it was the fastes tumor according to the dr. two weeks after that i lost my husband to lung cancer 3 of my kids came down and i moved back home and living with my oldest son and his wife i don’t think i have even had time to moure for my love one yet i’m just so tired thanks for listening